Conflicting Reports Concerning Death of The Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin – Did He Pull Stingray Barb From Chest?

One of the best known naturalists in history, Steve Irwin was killed Monday by a stingray while filming a segment for a kid’s television show (Jungle Girl). Irwin, 44, has been known as the “Crocodile Hunter” worldwide when his show became extremely popular on the Animal Planet network during the 1990’s.

There are conflicting reports about his death. Michael Perry of Reuters reports that Irwin’s manager, John Stainton, said Irwin pulled the barb from his chest before he died. "It (the tape) shows that Steve came over the top of the ray and the tail came up, and spiked him here (in the chest)," Stainton said after watching the footage. He went on to say "He pulled it out and the next minute he's gone. The cameraman had to shut down.”

But on CNN, Stainton said “you hear a lot of rumors and stuff that goes around on these things.” When asked if the report was correct he said “it is absolute rubbish” and Irwin did not pull the barb from his chest. He said “of course it is not true.” Comment on this Article at our Forum

Apparently Irwin never regained consciousness after the attack. When asked what the last thing Irwin told him, Stainton said that he really loved life and what was happening. Stainton told the CNN reporter that Irwin “went out on a really high note”.

Stainton told CNN that the video tape is in police custody and that he has not seen the tape. It is unknown why the syndicated piece from Reuters conflicts with live statements made by Stainton on CNN Monday.

The tail of the stingray has a barb on the end which is used exclusively for defense. The barbs can measure anywhere from four to twelve inches and are laced with a venom. Death by stingray is a very rare occurrence. Fewer than twenty people have ever been killed by a stingray in modern history.

The Short-tail stingray is reputed to be the largest stingray in the world. There are often 2 stings, the front one small, the rear one considerably larger, which bear toxin glands. The stingrays can measure 14 feet long and weigh over 700 pounds. It was a Short-tail stingray that killed Steve Irwin.

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